After renewed design, Ford Grand C-Max remains one of Ford’s sales strengths, which is not only the merit of different headlights, redesigned mask and numerous assistance systems. The biggest asset remains the size of the luggage compartment and interior flexibility, since the three individual seats are adjustable longitudinally, while offering numerous possibilities of transportation of persons and luggage.

Ford Grand C-Max can be a 7-seater

And although the boot is big enough for most of the family needs and demands, it contains (the narrow sized) spare tire, which is (although it might bite off a liter or two of cargo space) still considered a good thing. So called repair kits do not help much when facing larger holes. Ford C-Max, dimesionally placed between the B-Max and S-Max, was presented back in early 2003, later followed by the higher and longer Grand C-Max. The larger of the two brothers, which you can enjoy as a 7-seater, or you can bet on a larger trunk and give up the two additional seats.

Is it Ford C-Max or Grand C-Max?

Grand C-Max is the one who has a serial sliding door on each side.

If you have difficulties to separate the C-Max from Grand C-Max, you do not need to measure both of them to find out which one is 14 centimeters longer. The solution is more simple: the Grand C-Max is the one who has a serial sliding door on each side.

Great driving dynamics, improved infotainment system

Ford Grand C-Max has an electrically operated tailgate, designed for spoiling not only the driver but also other passengers. And the driver of this Ford Grand C-Max is not only altruist, but also takes care of his own pleasures. Driving dynamics remain one of the best, at least compared with the competitors of this vehicle class. With the precise steering system, fast six-speed gearbox and chassis, which enables quite dynamic driving. After the renovation, Ford Grand C-Max was given a larger (8-inch) main display screen that is sensitive to touch. The system works well, although the buttons on the bottom of the screen can be sometimes hard to reach due to the plastic ridge underneath. But these are sweet shortcomings in comparison with the previous mini-screen, which does not allow such a friendly working environment.

Big selection of useful assistants

If you check most of technical treats from the additional equipmnet list Ford offers you in this car, then you will be able to rely on the automatic switching between short and long lights (although many times we would switch back to long beams much faster than computer electronics did), cruise control, lane assist system, semi automatic parking assist, additional heating of the steering wheel and the windshield, My Key system, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, identification of major road signs, Driver Alert system, blind spots assistant, the collision prevention system in the city driving, Cross Traffic Alert system, etc.

In short, a bowl full of goodies, for which the driver does not require additional knowledge or adjustments, but they automatically help and thus protect you and other traffic participants.

Downsized engine displacement, supported with turbo

Only 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an additional EcoBoost charge is enough for a maximum power of 110 kilowatts, or more than pleasing 150 ‘horses’.
The engine is smooth, quiet and in any case not under powered, even at low engine speeds. Therefore, despite a slightly bigger fuel consumption this engine option is strongly advised. More is not necessary, even if the luggage compartment is often filled to the top.

Additional centimeters inside and sliding doors are noticeable, likewise a better interface for managing numerous assistance systems. Below the line, as far as finances are concerned, all this does not come cheap, but as the basic technique (engine, transmission, chassis), everything may soon become an indispensable companion.

Ford Grand C-Max 1.5 Ecoboost Titanium technical details

1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine develops 150 hp.

ENGINE:
4-cylinder, 4 stroke, turbo charged.
Displacement: 1499 cm3.
Maximum power: 110 kW (150 hp) at 6000 rpm.
Maximum torque: 240 Nm at 1600 to 4000 rpm.

TRANSMISSION:
Front wheel drive.
6-speed manual transmission.

MEASURES AND DIMENSIONS:
Length: 4519 mm.
Width: 1,828 mm.
Height: 1,642 mm.
Wheelbase: 2788 mm.
Luggage compartment: 65 liters (with 7 seats), 448 liters (with 5 seats), 1715 liters (with folded second and third row).
Fuel tank capacity: 60 liters.
Tires: 215/55 R 16 H.

PERFORMANCE:
Top speed: 202 km/h.
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.7 seconds.

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Combined average fuel consumption (ECE): 6.3 l/100 km.
CO2 emissions: 144 g/km.

WEIGHT:
Empty vehicle: 1,473 kg.
The maximum allowed weight: 2,195 kg.

PRICE:
Base model price: 21,500 euros.
Reviewed model price: 30,000 euros.

Ford Grand C-Max rivals

• BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
• Citroen C4 Picasso
• Kia Carens
• Opel Zafira Tourer
• Renault Scenic
• Volkswagen Touran

Image credit: Ford and James Lipman / jameslipman.com